Rapid measurement of basic drugs in blood applied to clinical and forensic toxicology.
A gas chromatographic method is presented to measure blood, serum or plasma concentrations of more than 40 basic drugs. The sensitivity is 0.05 mg/L or less, which represents medium-high therapeutic and overdose concentrations, and in many instances the major active metabolites are also quantified. The paper describes a single step extraction from basic solution into n-butyl acetate containing maprotiline internal standard. Disposable glass tubes are used, with direct chromatography of the upper organic layer. GLC analysis is conducted for 10 min isothermally on a packed column (3% SP2250) with nitrogen-phosphorus detection. The coefficient of variation (CV) of the assay is between 2% and 5%, and data on the reproducibility of retention times are presented.
Dawling
S
S
Poisons Unit, Guy's Hospital, London, UK.
Ward
N
N
Essex
E G
EG
Widdop
B
B
D002138:Calibration; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D011041:Poisoning / Q000097:blood*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013997:Time Factors; D014116:Toxicology / Q000379:methods*